In his first major policy address as a gubernatorial candidate, Attorney General Greg Abbott proposed tighter constitutional limits on state spending and increased constraints on the multibillion-dollar Rainy Day Fund.

Abbott laid out his “Working Texans” plan, which is based on fiscal reform to reduce the scope of government, during a campaign stop Monday in Brownsville.

Abbott said that if he were elected governor, he would propose two constitutional amendments to keep state spending tied to population growth and inflation and to safeguard the Rainy Day Fund, the state’s savings account, from “being raided” by the Legislature.

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So the AG wants "tighter constitutional limits on state spending," but there's no mention of the endless dead-end litigation he's brought up against the President. Who will tackle the issue of an overly litigious Attorney General?

October 28, 2013 @ 4:26 p.m.

Mary Bell Lockhart

Notice complete absence of making energy corporations pay for the damage they are causing-increased pollution, climate change, droughts, damaged roads. Texas doesn't have a spending problem it has a revenue problem. Too much crony capitalism while our schools, health care, and other needs of most Texans are ignored. Wendy's priorities are on the people!

for those of us not interested in a candidate who's greatest claim to glory is her desire for the deaths of the defenseless - I am supporting abbott at this time. I do like his plan to limit state spending which means more money in Texan's pockets.

Reducing the scope of government can happen only with reducing the laws and codes that the government employees are charged with implementing. Cutting costs will decrease the number of employees, simply spreading the workload and responsibility over fewer employees.

It's next to impossible to use the RDF as it is. And cutting state expenditures means less money for roads, bridges, education and water needs. He's just pandering to the folks who think nothing is worth spending money on.

Yes, let's limit government so all those unborns that the pro-lifers are trying to save will be born into poverty through no fault of their own and will spend the rest of their lives there while the pro-lifers can congratulate themselves for a job well done.

It is nice to finally see that Abbott has a position on something other than hating the federal government, but pehaps one of his aides should tell him that he does not need a constitutional amendment, much less two constitutional amendments, to do what he is proposing.....All it takes is a governor who has the guts to use the VETO....but, of course, it is much eaiser to hide behind a claim that changing the constitution is necessary before you can do anything.....than it is to stand up and do it yourself.

Makes sense. Prop 6 is another of the 'smoke and mirrors' programs that will do little to accomplish it's goal but will raid the Rainy Day Fund to do it. When I grew up, the gov't was always supposed to have a slight surplus, just like individuals were raised to have savings.But the 'progressive' attitude is irresponsible spending, run up the debt, and hope someone down the line can figure a way to pay for it.

Bwahahahaha! Wait, this IS a joke, right? Surely the guy who files all kinds of frivolous lawsuits against the federal government and is wasting our taxpayer dollars on defending an unconstitutional law isn't SERIOUSLY trying to pretend he's running on a platform of limiting frivolous state spending?

uptil I saw the draft which had said $5774, I accept that my neighbours mother was realey receiving money in their spare time from there labtop.. there sisters roommate started doing this 4 only twenty one months and recently paid the dept on their apartment and bourt themselves a Alfa Romeo. Full Article............ JOBS61.¢øm

What a Windy reply. It is that kind of hateful fiction that will bring about an end the rule of ignorance in the state of Texas. The current government embarrass me and my family. We have been here since Texas was a country. There has always been a big voice in this state that loves others and is a good neighbor. There have also been small voices that spread hate and separate us from one another. The time has come to take Texas back from the heartless and corrupt. The time has come to stand together and choose the "us" instead of the "me and mine". Windy Davis for governor.

Here's an ideal for Abbott, tax all non-voters by doubling their taxes which will go towards the rainy day fund. Maybe with the large voter turnout Abbott won't get elected and his dream of a large rainy day fund will happen.

There have ONLY been 5 Reoublican Texas Governors in Texas 167 year history...2 of those in the 19th Century. Then, Texas elected 29 consecutive Democrat Governors during the 'Bragging Rights" of Texas...Sadly, From Ann Richards to Dubya to Ricky to Abbott is 'De-Evolution', and is resulting in my Beloved state being the Punch Line of America's Jokes, and I hate that so much!! :'(

Ther eis nothing a politician loves more than building roads pouring concrete. Yet this politician tears up the road to 'Dad' for half the state's children. He despite his audacity to say he takes little from the Fed receives a federal kickback for every dollar imposed and collected in the sanctimonious name of monetary child support. But since it does not pay to assure the child has a subsequent relationship with its father, Abbott does absolutely nothing.

October 29, 2013 @ 12:36 p.m.

E. Quote

“I am willing to take on the task of making difficult decisions to reduce government spending when at times the Legislature may not be able to do so,” Abbott said...Really! Not so much, notice Abbott is proposing reducing spending from the Rainy Day Fund. He wants to keep the account from “being raided” by the Legislature. The Governor's slush fund to subsidize business, the Texas Enterpirse Fund (TEF) is not mentioned.

'The TEF is used primarily to attract new business to the state or assist with the substantial expansion of an existing business as part of competitive recruitment. State leadership will also be able to use Enterprise funds to leverage other resources for an economic development project. ... Before funds can be awarded, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker must unanimously agree to support the use of the TEF for each specific project. ' (http://governor.state.tx.us/priorities/economy/investing_for_growth/texas_enterprise_fund/)